Luke....

Luke got a haircut. He's also an angel when he sleeps. He ran a zillion errands with me today. He worked lunch duty at school. Sat through two meetings and a big people lunch. He went to work with me and was so good while we were there. He went to the store - a chore we both hate. He put up with me packing and being generally grumpy cuz I overwhelmed with all I have to do tonite. He has been such a good kid.

Love him to pieces.

What Luke and I do in our Off Time....

The Age of Social Media...

I was over reading "my girl's" blog on Momastery.  (You know like Glennon and I are best buds and she can be called "my girl.")  She makes me think. A lot. Not something I need help with.... as I tend to think myself to death most days... but usually, she makes me think good things that allow me to cope with the daily life of being a parent, wife, friend, employee, citizen and child of god.

She makes me think bigger and outside of myself.

But, she also makes me question this age of social media.  The age in which many moms blog about their kids. Or women blog about their lives, their favorite recipes and their ideas for staying organized.

Sometimes, when I am in the right mood... this is all so wonderful and helpful.  But man, sometimes I get really, REALLY overwhelmed.

Like really!

As women, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves.  Men do to but I can list the number of men reading this on one finger and that would be my hubby.  ;-)  I know he puts a lot of pressure on himself.... but let's focus here.

Back to women.

We put so much pressure on ourselves to do it all. And do it right. And we look outside ourselves and our immediate worlds for help and advice.  And we get it. And then, we look back inside our world and realize we don't do things that way. And then we feel inferior. And ashamed.  And bad.

Then.. if you're like me... you go and make a plan to turn it around!  And be super organized  like the mom on that one blog... take pictures and document your kids' lives like the mom on another one .... and oh by the way, you want to do it all while working and supporting your family... while trying to maintain a level of fun, socialization and sex appeal (to aforementioned husband).

And then.... you fail.

Miserably fail.

And you beat the shit out of yourself for it... cuz it just seemed so easy and if you could just do it like everyone else says they do it... you just know you could be amazing.

What we all forget on a daily basis is that we are already amazing.  It just looks so different.  Because we all started from such different places.... our own amazing looks different than super amazing mommy blogger's amazing.

And no matter how hard I try - my pictures are never going to look like super amazing photo mommy blogger's photos.

Yet a piece of me feels inferior every time I read and see others' perceived perfection.

What did women do before? How did they parent so well and feel so much better before they had all so called "support?"  Cuz I am really beginning to question what sort of support we really have out there?????  Is it all just a contest for moms trying to prove that they can do this better than someone else.

I remember when I started blogging and joined Facebook that I felt really good. I felt like there were all these women who talked about some real shit and seemed supportive. And people COMMENTED and you felt like a community.

But that got lost somewhere along the way.  And people don't do that anymore.  Or maybe no one reads or cares to. Or maybe everyone feels like me and when you compare you life to someone else's you too feel inferior.

 I don't know. I feel that there's too much out there. That maybe we put too much out there. That in the quest to share and know one another, we have lost touch of what is real.... and we are relying on a virtual world... a virtual reality.

I went off Facebook and my mom said "now you have to call me."

That should go unsaid!  Now that my mom lives out of town again.... I SHOULD call her and she should call me and she should learn news of my kids and me.... from me.

And my friends should ask about my life because they care and they want to interact, and me in turn, theirs....

There is so much out there for the world to see, that we don't care about the things that matter anymore.  People put their pain out there and at first we think.... how brave. Then, we grow numb to it.  Glennon is a prime example.  She has a lot to share.  A lot of pain. And she is getting bashed instead of supported. Why put it out there at all?  And moreover, why the hell would you beat someone (you likely don't even KNOW!) when they're down????

I don't know.  I just get to thinking sometimes... and here I am.... writing in this virtual world about how much I question the fact that I am writing and choose to write in this virtual world.

That my friends is what you call IRONY.  :-)

Our world is growing but becoming less.  Feelings are made smaller.  Email makes us brave to say things we would never in person.  I have to teach my kids that now.  Never email something you wouldn't say to someones face.  Also - be so careful because the written word can be misconstrued every time.  Tone cannot be heard via text, email or blog.

Can you tell if I am angry, sad, indifferent or happy in this post? I doubt it.  ;-)

Tulip City Invitational....

Friday evening, we traveled up to Holland for Ally's next gymnastics meet - the Tulip City Invitational!  The majority of her team and their families went up Friday night and we all stayed together at the host hotel, as the girls' check in was at 8:00 am Saturday morning.

Upon arrival, there were some girls already in the pool... so of course, Ally and Luke headed straight there.  The parents sat and had some drinks and watched the kids swim for a bit.... then decided we had better feed everyone.  We headed right across the street to BW3s and at there. We didn't even have to get in our cars as we just walked right over.  We had dinner with some of the families... then headed back where the rest of the gang was swimming.

We probably let the girls stay up too late.... but it was so much fun for them to have that time together. Silliness in the pool.  Luke is always included in the fun. He is one lucky boy to have all those girls taking care of him.  

I love these girls.  They are so silly, fun and supportive of one another.  I love to watch them interact and watch their friendship grow as it has.  I feel very blessed to be a part of their lives and their families' lives!

Competition day came early - the 6:00 am wake up call came a little sooner than expected but everyone was excited for the meet!  It was awesome to have all our girls compete together from level Diamond down to Gold.... the older girls with the younger girls.  Ally did great!  She didn't medal, and of course, she was disappointed... but you can't medal every time and it was a wonderful life lesson for her!  She still stood by and clapped as her besties got medals and cheered her team on... because in the end, that's what it's all about. That.... and trying better next time!  I am always proud of my angel girl no matter how she does.  Medals are fun and exciting..... but the fact that she goes out there and does what she does, amazing me to the core every time!  What an experience to be a part of.

After the meet and the awards ceremony.... Ally walked over to me every so slightly defeated and cried for just a moment. Disappointed for certain.  One of the older girls (who medaled in every event, took first all-around and is one of Ally's besties' oldest sister) came over and talked to her.  She told her how proud she was of her. How she watches her in the gym every week and she knows how hard she works.  How wonderful a gymnast she is.  Then, she went on to tell us how she competed for years without every getting a medal... but she never, ever quit. And here she is now... all-around champ for her level at almost every meet.  She is amazing to watch and a genuinely amazing girl. Amazing girl. Gracious and not boastful.  Upon receiving her all around-medal, the first thing she does is lean toward the girl who earned second and third and tells them what a great job they did.  I love that Ally has this girl as a role model in her life.  I hope she grows up to be just like Mary Grace... and that she never takes anything she earns for granted. That she always shows the same gratitude and gives the same praise to others.

That was my favorite part of our day.

I can tell her over and over how proud I am.... but when a fellow gymnast you look up to says it with all the sincerity in the world.... it means a lot more to a ten year old girl.

Later.... as we were watching the really young girls in her gym compete - Ally says to me "Mommy, I DID do really good for me."  Yes... yes you did baby girl. You did GREAT for you.  You did GREAT period.  I hope you know that you are the most amazing girl I know and love!  :-)

Ally's routines from that day can be seen here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjwNjIRa6x8

Today....

Today is a good day. I am feeling the tide turning. Sickness is behind us. Weeks are normalizing. I worked this morning. Now, I would normally be working out but my partner bailed on me and I decided that was a sign from the gods that I should take myself over to AKA and have a late sushi lunch with myself.

So here I am.

I enjoy the solitude these days. Little moments. I never used to appreciate moments alone. Thought I had to fill my time. Always be with others. Now I appreciate these stolen moments.

I feel like today is one of those amazing balance days. Where I feel good about the life I live. I worked all day until now. Now, I get some time to sit still and reflect and enjoy something delicious.

I will pick the kids up soon and spend some time with them. Then, this evening I have a girls night out. Love the variety today brings.

Gonna enjoy. I hope you find a way to enjoy your day too!

Resurfacing...

The last two weeks (or more) have been a giant pile of SUCK. There's really no way to sugar coat it.  One week of the pukes. Another week of the flu. Even this week isn't going 100% as the kids try to regain their energy.  It has sucked. Really.

I almost lost it. Two weeks of staying home and in with the kids. They couldn't really go anywhere... they were too sick. Not to mention, it's not fair to others to continue to spread the wealth.  I wish more people would stay HOME with their sick kids. Then again, by this past Saturday, I was locked in the bathroom in the fetal position, crying because I couldn't take the fighting anymore. The kids have spent FAR to much time together.

My amazing hubby spent the day last Saturday moving his grandma... and then, came home to his wife having a breakdown... so he took the kids and went downstairs and kept them there, away from me, for hours. It was heaven. I watched a movie. I laid on the couch.  I loved every moment.

None of us had really done anything for weeks except go to work (Scott and I) for short spurts of time. We are a family usually on the go.. so this was a challenge to say the least. And the thing is... we all took turns being sick... so you would have one kid sick as hell and the other healthy, but we couldn't do anything cuz of sick kid #1 and then... the roles would reverse and everyone was just a giant pile of unhappy.

Please let it be over now.

Ally has a gymnastics meet in Holland this weekend. We are leaving early Friday and traveling up there to stay the night before as she has to check in at 8:00 am.  We are going to have a little dinner with some other families from the gym and let the kids enjoy some indoor pool time.  It should be a nice break.  I hope. Really, let's be honest.. I would look forward to anything that gets me out and away from here. ;-)

Tomorrow I have a girls' night out... THANK GOD.  Some girls and I are headed to Lansing for some spa time and a dinner out to Mitchell's Fish Market. YUM.... and fun. All in one little trip. Definitely looking forward to that!

Work is going well.... still loving my new calling and my job still doesn't feel like a job.  Luke got to work with me today.... and he was an angel boy. So, I rewarded him with some time at the bounce house... but his energy was low and he didn't last long.  Oh well. At least he got to do something.

Both kids missed their valentines parties. Big bummers all around.  I think Luke is giddy to return to school tomorrow and play and see his friends. Today at the bounce house I noticed he was interacting with other kids...  I am always amazed and proud to see him do this as he has come a long way in that department.  He's becoming quite the social little guy. I am proud of him for certain.

It's snowing today. I am over snow. I am thankful the end of February is near.  Spring cannot come soon enough in my opinion. The sun is not shining and that is depressing. If it's going to be cold and snow, the least the sun could do is shine. It is really so mood enhancing. Sigh.

Winter sucks.  I need to learn to love winter.

That said... we are going up north in a couple weeks to stay in a big ole house with a bunch of other families and try our luck at skiing!  It's something I've always wanted to try and Ally has really wanted to do.... I will probably hate it... but I want to try and at least we can get away with some super fun people and our kids and try to enjoy this winter wonderland.  Gotta learn to embrace this weather.  Hibernation is not the best option.... but it's what I gravitate toward.

Well, that was a bummer of a post.  ;-)  Complaining about sickness... staying home... but it happens. We all have our weeks of suck.  Here's hoping you are having a week of non-suck.  :-)

Mine is sure to turn around!

Ally's Bowling Party in Pictures....

Ally and her friends loved her bowling birthday party!  A great time was had by all!

Which End is Up?

What day is it again?  What a week.  Seriously.  Scott and Ally stayed home yesterday while Luke went to school and I went to work for the morning.  Ally was a mess.  Looked a mess and had a fever for three days.  A trip to the doc was in order.  I went home and got her.... ran to pick Luke up early to take him with me as her appointment was cutting it to close for me to get him after... and we got to the doc.

Hadn't been there since June of 2012 for their physicals.  We checked in and the nurse said to me "I jinxed you because I just asked someone if you had left our practice we hadn't seen you in so long." HA!  Nope... just usually have some healthy kids.  She looked up their histories.... prior to the June visit, we hadn't been there since January 2012 which was the last time Ally had strep.  Once in October of 2011 for her - strep again and their physicals the spring of 2011.  Luke went in once in early 2012 for a virus I had checked out.

No offense, I am happy to not see my pediatrician on a regular basis! But this time... we have been hit and hit hard.  They ran a strep test on Ally, which was negative. I was glad we didn't have to walk the antibiotic path. I had stepped up her acidophilus just in case though.  Next came the flu test.... positive for influenza B. Good times.  I guess B is more rare and mild than A which is good for her, but bad for us as Scott, Luke and I had A in November, which means... you guessed it... we can get this strain!!  Woo hoo!  ;-)

We won't though. Come on.  The flu we had in November was bad enough.  And then, our little tango with the Noro Virus last week. Not cool virus gods... not cool.

So.... with a diagnosis of Influenza B... Ally gets a solid week off school and we have quarantined ourselves for the week.

Add that to last weeks quarantine from the pukes and you get two kids and one mom who are losing their effing minds.  No joke.

Scott and I are trading off and on so I can work my hours and he stays home.... and he has been home sick (Noro got him early this week) too so it's worked out that I haven't had to miss anymore work than I had to last week.  But I am missing the days the office is closed and I am supposed to be going in to do the things I can't do when we see patients. Going on two weeks of a lack of that.... crap is piling up and I am feeling the weight of that on me.  Makes me feel just a little overwhelmed.

This has been the worst year for flu in a super long time the doc was telling me.  Each day they see 5 or 6 cases of the flu.  Awful.  These poor kids.  At least we are blessed with healthy kids that can fight this stuff off and it doesn't turn into secondary infections.  Ally woke up this morning and seemingly has turned the corner.  The last two days were really bad... and today she actually is bored and wants to do something. My girl is coming back. The hardest part is that she can't do anything for two more days. Prayers we all don't lose our minds!!!!!

So, since today is turning point day.... today will be another loving cleaning/organizing day... more ridding this house of virus.... and more cleaning out. My quarantine with Noro took twelve bags out of here.... I love cleaning OUT!  :-)

I am looking at the silver lining in all of this as I always try to do.  Better this week than any other.  Next weekend, Ally has another meet up in Holland and she is sure to want to be healthy enough to participate in that.  With the worst behind her, we can now focus on regaining strength and getting her energy back.  We only had plans for tomorrow night this weekend, so hopefully we can still go out as the kids were staying home with a sitter anyway. There should be no more contagious element around once I clean and they are past their contagious stage..... so Scott and I definitely deserve the evening OUT!  Gotta break out of this place!  Fingers crossed that can happen!

Here's to health!  We all deserve it!

Goodbye FB...

Said my annual Lenten farewell to Facebook today. It feels so good to delete it off my phone! I will still need to check it now and then. Ally's gym does a lot of communicating on our page there. Stella and Dot stuff with my page. But eliminating it from my phone takes it away from my fingertips. Time waster eliminated. :-)

Ally and I are also giving up Instagram together!!!! Bye bye social media!

I am sleeping on the couch - or not sleeping rather since I am posting this. Ally is with me on her mattress on the floor. Scott is as sick as can be in our bed. Good times here. Good times.

Neither Scott nor Ally will make an appearance at work or school tomorrow. I have made arrangements with my amazing cousin to help me with Luke in the morning so I don't get to work too terribly late. But I will be late! Family first.

Here's hoping I get a few hours tonite. And make it through the day tomorrow!!!!!

Too Much Sickness....

Last Monday, Ally came home from school with a headache.  She barely ate dinner.... and even though she was dressed and ready to go to dance, she announced that she didn't think she could go.  She laid down on the couch.

I honestly didn't think much of it. I had just had a CRAP day and had brought a pile of work home.  I sat at the table and was slowly working my way through a mess better known as the insurance puzzle.  I was trying to figure some things out... Scott was making juice.... Luke was being, well Luke.... and the next thing we know, Ally is puking her guts out.

Lovely.

At least she made it to the bathroom.  Thank God for small favors.

So.... Scott and I work to get Luke down and settle in for the night we know is ahead of us.  When Ally pukes, Ally PUKES!  It is never short and sweet.... it's usually violent and lasts for at least 12 to 24 hours.

Scott takes the first shift.... and I finish my work. The first shift consists of dealing with the first puke session and then, Ally sleeps for a couple hours.  That boy got off easy.  ;-)

We put her to bed, feeling hopeful. She hasn't thrown up in a while... maybe, just maybe she will sleep and it will be past us!!!!!

(yeah - right)

I hear her throwing up almost instantly.... into a bowl. I take it, clean it and return it. This happens a couple more times only minutes apart instead of hours.  So, she and I get up and set up camp in the living room.  She needs to be distracted in between the barfing as she is just so miserable.  24 hour Disney Channel to the rescue.  All night long, until 6:30 am.... she constantly retches and throws up.... it is violent. She has issues from the other end beginning around 3:00 am. I have not seen anything like it. She has burst all the blood vessels in her eyes. She can barely stand up.  It is a bad scene.

At 6:30 she finally falls asleep and stays asleep. Scott comes out and send me to bed to get a few hours of sleep. He goes into work later. She sleeps for a bit, wakes up and drinks some Rock and Rye because she needs something with taste. It stays down for a bit... but eventually returns to the outside world.  This is the last time she will vomit.... it's violent and awful.... but she literally passes out on the couch after and sleeps until after 3 in the afternoon....

Luke is an angel all day long. He knows he needs to be and I am so thankful.  I was so out of it.  Had a headache all day and could hardly cope with the no sleep.  I thank god every day we are done with children!  OMG the sleep deprivation after a day almost killed me. I am apparently officially too old for no sleep!  ;-)

Ally is able to eat some soup and drink some gatorade later in the day... somehow, someway we survived.

Wednesday, everyone goes to school and work..... the day seems easy enough.  Then, the call from Luke comes at 4:00 am.... he has vomited all over his bed. That's the difference between a 10 and a five year old. One gets the bowl or toilet. The other, just doesn't get it at all.  Especially a kid who has only thrown up one other time in his life. Ally's an old pro. Luke, a beginner.

So, after two vomit sessions in bed... Luke and I head to the living room for another morning and day of the couch/vomit routine.  At least he let me sleep until 4!!!!!!  He never did throw up again.. but fought the fever and aches that come with the stomach virus from hell.

Scott comes home early, not feeling quite right (this is Thursday)... but although he has the aches and pains and cannot get warm... he never tosses his cookies.

Then, at 2:00 am Friday morning... it's my turn. I wake with a start and instantly know it has gotten me. I promptly walk into the hall bathroom and lose whatever I have eaten for the last 24 hours.  That will be the only time I throw up... thank god. The aches and pains however, will last the rest of the day.

Saturday, I still have no energy and I feel nauseated all day long..... we do nothing except take Ally to and from gymnastics.

Sunday, we take it easy... I do attend a little wine/bachelorette event and enjoy a couple glasses, but other than that, my appetite is limited and my wine intake low.

Monday, Ally wakes up with a headache but goes to school.  I dismiss it, thinking she is just dehydrated and needs to get out of the house and slam some water.  She comes home feeling worse... and wakes in the middle of the night with a fever and a croup-sounding cough. Sore throat. Limited voice.

Lovely.

And... by the way... WTF???  We have had enough.

But, the icing on the proverbial cake is that at 1:00 pm today Scott calls and announces he is once again on his way home with the chills, aches to the bone and takes a bowl with him to bed.  Can this really be another week from hell????

Here at the McIntosh family we don't get colds too often... we can shake the every day things... but apparently we do get the most evil of viruses..... we have the real deal flu this past November... and now this.... even though I was pretty sure I announced that we were to be illness free because of November... the illness gods did not listen!

Lordy day. Pray for all of us.  There are two evil bugs going around and we got them both.  Lucky us!!!!!!!!!!!

Where Did January Go?

So.... here we are at the last day of January and for the life of me, I have no idea where it went!?!  I feel like just last week we had Christmas... and the rest has just been a blur!

A lot of people talk about how down they get when Christmas ends... the end of the fun holiday season leaves them with little to look forward to but far too many months of winter and cold.  I don't really feel that way when it comes to the close of that season, and I think the busyness of my January has a lot to do with it.  Scott's birthday rolls around on Jan. 16 and then Ally's on the 25th. There is too much to think about and plan to really mourn the loss of Christmas.  And, well, I'm not much of a mourner anyway.  Definitely a forward looking girl here.  :-)

Anyway.... January brought with it a lot of excitement. We celebrated Scott's birthday with a family dinner at home... and a crazy night out with friends the Friday after.  Ally had her first gymnastics meet of the season.  We celebrated Ally's birthday with a family dinner at home and she had a couple friends sleepover.  Her "friend" birthday party is coming up this weekend at a local bowling alley. She has 13 girls coming to celebrate with her. Should be crazy.  I will need a drink. Truth.

And now.. we have February - the short month - looming in front of us.  Ally has another meet up in Holland at the end of the month and we are going to stay up there for the weekend and make a little winter get away out of it. Scott and I have a Marriage Matters date night the week of Valentines Day. I have the Maroon Five concert with some girlfriends.  And of course, we have the weekly activities of daily life.  :-)

I am starting the second month of my new job and it still doesn't feel like work for a minute. I am absolutely loving what I am doing.... and getting so much out of it.  I guess this is what they mean when they say when you are doing what you are supposed to be doing - it doesn't feel like work at all.  I know it's still early and new... but there's just something all around amazing about the environment in which I work and the higher purpose I serve for a lot of people. I am just really pleased with the turn of events my career has taken. Who knew I would end up in such a place. Life has a way of leading us where we are meant to be... if we just listen!

The last member of our family is finally getting regularly adjusted. Scott is making his three times a week appointments regularly and I am so happy and proud of him.  Luke has no issue with the adjustments now and as a result is a healthy little man. Ally has always handled them like a pro.  It's so wonderful to have a practitioner I can go to that helps keep Ally healthy all over with what gymnastics does to her little body. She regularly gets her ankle adjusted and he helped with her hand when she jammed it.  No medical intervention necessary. Just realignment, ice and rest.

Our family is embracing a healthy lifestyle all around. Both Scott and I have established weekly workout routines that we have stuck to and are loving.  Scott spins at least 4 times a week.  It's crazy with men... his body changed instantly. Men suck.  ;-)  I am working out three times a week with a girlfriend (key for me!) at the Club's gym. We start our workout with half hour of cardio (elliptical usually) and then rotate our weight routine. Arms Monday.... back/shoulders Wednesday and legs Friday.  I really look forward to our workouts and find that I wish I could get on something cardio-wise the days we don't go!  I would also like to give spinning another try.... Scott's results are inspiring!

We have always been pretty good eaters around here... but we are refocusing on that as well.  Scott is juicing regularly as am I. He is in charge of the juicer and we are drinking one green and one fruit juice a day.... on weekends we increase it to three.  Scott is trying to keep his animal protein to once a day - I'm not doing as well there but haven't really tried either.  He's really been rocking and feeling great!

In addition, we are all adding essential oils to our lives. My mother in law and I went to a class at Divinity and are trying to walk that path!  I am a huge believer in anything that isn't conventional healthcare lately. ;-) I will try not to get too preachy about it though.  Remember, if I recommend something for you and your family, I am really not saying it's better... just trying to show you there can be other ways and you can end the cycle of sickness and drug dependence in your world.

I will say this:  I strongly believe that every side effect you experience in your body has a core reason.  For me once upon a time, I had migraines. I was drugged needlessly for years and I have GREAT resentment for it.  All a good doctor had to do was take me off birth control. My hormones were whack.  Instead they gave me a zillion drugs and took years of my life. I will forever be grateful to the good doctor at Henry Ford who figured it out and saved me.  Ally had ear infections for a year. I detested those months she spent on antibiotics and  knew in my heart there was a reason. We allergy tested her. She was allergic to milk and eggs. I completely eliminated all trace of such things in her diet. She has never had an ear infection again.  Ear infections are a sign that your immune system is weak.  It's a side effect of the common cold that her body should have been able to fight off but it was too busy fighting off the food that was attacking her.

These are my real stories.  You need less drugs and antibiotics than you think. Once you end the cycle for you and your kids... you will just experience health. True story.

Okay, my rant is really over now.  Have just been reflecting on a lot lately. In my world I see this all the time now.  I just want to share and help others.... in a way that makes them accept it and not seemed turned off by it.  That's a hard thing to do. People think your crazy sometimes.  I'm okay with crazy.  Not everyone is.  ;-)

I have really only had one cup of coffee today. Swear it!  My grandma is going to totally make fun of me like she did when I shared my lymph cleansing techniques.  I still dry brush my skin grandma! I need to jump on the trampoline more though. :-)))))))))))

Daddy/Daughter Dance...

Last night was the annual Daddy/Daughter dance at school!  It always falls on Ally's birthday weekend, which makes for a FULL and busy weekend for us. I did decide to do her "friend" birthday party next weekend though... which helps out a little!  We still had some people over Friday night to celebrate her turning ten.  My girl is TEN!!!! Double digits!  I love it!  It's so much fun to watch this crazy girl grow and change. I enjoy every moment... even the bad ones (after the fact of course). I've said it before and I'll say it again... she teaches me so much on a constant basis.

This year, Ally wasn't sure she wanted to go to the Daddy/Daughter Dance. I have no idea why and could never quite get a straight answer out of her.  She said last year when they went out to dinner, there were so many people and she didn't even talk to Daddy. She also resents the fact that it kind of encroaches on her birthday weekend I think. So, we kinda picked out a dress she happened to like to either save for Spring Break or Easter or whatever... but in the back of my mind, I always thought she was going to end up wanting to go.

And, the week before, she decided she did.  Scott kept dinner simple.  Just he and her and one other Daddy/Daughter pair.  They went to the Olive Garden... and everyone carb loaded to dance the night away.  Scott sent me pictures of the girls every so often and some video too. They had a great time... and Scott is always impressed with the Dads at that school... how very "into the dance" they are... that they actually get out there and dance and genuinely enjoy the night with their girls.   A good time was had by all.

Luke and I watched a movie and ate dinner on the couch at home... and we went to bed early.  A lovely low key night for us!

Gymnastics and the Return of Nicole....

So. It's been a while. Sorry.  I totally got called out on my lack of blogging by my own Grandma!  Can't let Grandma down.... so I better get back on it!  ;-)

I haven't blogged since before Christmas.... and even then, I feel like I've been remiss in regularly documenting what's been going on. It happens. Life gets busy. We've had a lot going on.... who doesn't?

December brought with it a new job.... birthdays for Luke and I. The holidays. Out of town guests.  January is Ally and Scott's birthday month.  More activity than I can keep up with sometimes. The start of Ally's gymnastics season.  And the continuation of what really is still a very new job.

About the job:  I still go to work each day and feel like I am just "playing."  It's all so new and so fun.... so different.... that it doesn't seem real and even when it does... it doesn't feel like work at all. I am blessed to have the experience.  So far, it has been, by far, a great decision and turning point in my life.  Love the new challenge.

I don't know if I will ever catch up and blog Christmas complete with pictures.  In talking with my Grandma when we discussed my lack of blogging, I decided that in order to not feel overwhelmed, I would just have to pick up from here and move forward.  Trying to play catch up would just be too much.

That said, our Christmas was lovely. The kids were spoiled rotten by us, by Santa, and by our friends and family. We had a lot of down time together as Scott was able to take two weeks off. I still worked, but the days were few and the time is short.  It didn't feel like I missed out at all... and Scott was home with the kids while they were off... until the first of the year that is. Then, they had a few days with Nana and Papa.

My brother, Mary and Maggie paid us a visit.... it is always so nice to spend time with them. The kids had so much fun playing the days away together while they were here. We even had a huge family gathering with all my step-siblings and their kids... and my Mom and Dave.

Now we are back in the swing of school and work.  We celebrated Scott's birthday this past week with a family dinner at home.  He got a juicer as his big gift and has been enjoying juicing everything under the sun. We are all enjoying the fruits (and vegetables!) of his bday gift!  Yum!!!!

Ally had her first gymnastics meet of the 2013 season. This is the first year she is competing for real and with scores. Last year she competed "Fun 4" and only did "Fun Meets" for ribbons. This year, she receives scores for her routines. She is competing Xcel level "Gold" - which is an alternative program to the USGA Jr. Olympic Levels. In our gym, the girls actually do both or go back and forth, depending on what the coach thinks they're ready for. I don't understand the ins and outs... all I know is Ally is happy and loving what she's doing... so that's enough for me.  Her coach is great and cares about her girls. It's fun to watch and be a part of.

The meet was so much fun. Long (a grueling 6 hours at the gym!) but fun.  Ally was just so so excited for the meet.... and I was excited for her, albeit a tad nervous and anxious for her to simply do well enough that she felt she tried her best.

Ally started out on floor this time around.  A good place for her to start as it's a fave event.  She did really well. Her floor routine is to "We're Off to See the Wizard" from the Wizard of Oz. It's a pretty cute little routine.  Vault was next... and event not quite her fave. She landed her first vault, but her second didn't go so well and she went off the side of the horse.  She had a GREAT attitude about it.... and laughed it off. Something so great to see. She yelled up to me in the stands "I did a great vault for me Mommy!"

I was so proud of not only her athletic ability, but her attitude. She was having a blast out there.

Bars came next.... and she did the best bar routine she can do. Her score didn't reflect what she did in my opinion.... but I'm her mom.  ;-)  She doesn't have her kip yet... so she gets a big ole reduction for that.... but other than that... it was flawless.  She did her fly-away and stuck the landing. She was pretty happy with herself after.... I could see that from where I sat.

Beam was last.  It got interesting... the entire rest of the meet was over.... and our four girls from the gym had to perform their routines with everyone watching them... there wasn't a single event going on... every gymnast was watching... everyone in the stands. I am almost positive Ally wasn't aware of this though....

She rocked that beam. A wobble here and there... but she did not fall off... she landed her cartwheel, her turns and her jumps. She received a great score and I could see she was beaming by this point. She was loving this meet.

She was able to come off for a moment and visit with us before awards.  She told me she scored "over an 8 on everything" and for this she was very, very proud.  It's funny... I watched her scores and could have cared less about them.  All I wanted to see was a smile on her face as she finished each event. And I did.  Like her Aunt Elizabeth said time and time again yesterday "I think Ally is the best gymnast out there."  I love having Elizabeth at the meets. She makes me happy and is a wonderful side kick.  ;-)

In the end.... Ally did medal on beam.  I think she was surprised... but I did have a feeling she might as she did so very well on the event. She took fourth on beam... and the smile on her face was worth the price of admission.  :-)

It was a great, great day......  Ally has found something she is not only passionate about, but that she has FUN with. I could not ask for more.

My favorite things - Ally looking up for me and waving and being silly every once in a while... gymnasts hugging one another after every event.... giant smiles after completing events.... hugs from family.... the sign her Aunt Elizabeth made and Sydney and Luke held proudly.... how badly Luke wanted her to get a medal... and how truly proud of her he was.